Pepper exports fetch 370 million USD in four months

Vietnam exported more than 38,000 tonnes of pepper in the first four
months of 2013, earning 370 million USD, up 30 percent year-on-year.

According to the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA), over 90 million
tonnes of pepper will be shipped abroad by the end of this year.

Vietnam is currently the world leader in terms of pepper output
with about 120,000 tonnes per year. However, 70 percent of its pepper
exports are in the form of raw materials with low value.

The country exports pepper to more than 90 countries and territories,
but most consumers are unaware of the spice they use originating from
Vietnam as products are usually processed and packaged overseas.

Six foreign-invested businesses are purchasing and processing pepper
in Vietnam. They contributed nearly 40 percent of the country’s
total pepper export turnover last year.

Pepper
businesses should accelerate their restructuring and work together to
maintain their global market share, said VPA Chairman Do Ha Nam, adding
that local exporters need to hone their competitive edge to stay ahead
of foreign rivals.-VNA